Match Report

GUISBOROUGH TOWN 4, NORTH SHIELDS 1

(Cleator Cup)

Priorymen win first trophy of season with comfortable Cleator Cup victory.

Guisborough Town delivered a much-improved performance at the Kevin Edward KGV Stadium on Saturday with a convincing 4-1 victory over North Shields to lift the Cleator Cup.

The fixture is the annual clash between the Champions of the Northern League – Guisborough Town – and the Northern League Cup winners (North Shields).

Guisborough started off brilliantly by sprinting into an impressive 3-0 lead by half-time. Goals by Jack Bailey, calmly slotting home in the 8th minute, Kallum Griffiths with a well-placed effort into the bottom corner and then three minutes before half-time crowd favourite Matty Willshaw slotted home in a one on one with the Shields keeper.

Guisborough Manager Nathan Haslam was well pleased with his side’s first half display and the three goal lead.

“EXCELLENT “

After the game he said: “This first half performance by us was excellent. We got the rotations right along with the combinations and the overloads.

“We produced some great passages of play. There were certain things we wanted to work on and those worked out well for us and overall I was very pleased with the first 45,” commented Nathan.

In the second half, a further two goals were scored – one apiece for either side.

Shields pulled a goal back in the 55th minute to briefly raise their hopes of a comeback.

Guisborough had several chances to seal victory but the Priorymen had to wait until the 90th minute to ensure their win. Shields actually had a good chance at the other end but were denied by home ‘keeper Ryan Catterick with a smart save. The ball was then cleared upfield to Jey Draper who cut inside the Shields area before squaring to Noah Cunningham for a tap-in and 4-1 in front of a good KGV crowd of 252.

At the end of the match Guisborough gaffer Nathan added:”The second half performance was a little bitty. But it’s great that we’ve got more minutes into legs. Also, I’d like to mention the referee and the match officials who I thought managed the game very well indeed.”

Looking ahead to next Tuesday, 21 July Guisborough have an additionally arranged friendly fixture at former arch rivals Redcar Athletic (KO 7.30pm).

Report by Bill Perfitt.